Sir Stephen Lovegrove to chair Rolls-Royce-led nuclear consortium

New role for former permanent secretary in energy department raises concerns over revolving door' between public and private

A former national security adviser Sir Stephen Lovegrove is to join the Rolls-Royce-led consortium developing small nuclear reactors as chair of its board, raising concerns about the revolving door between the public and private sectors.

The role, which has been approved by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba), will begin in the new year. Lovegrove's background as a permanent secretary, the most senior civil servant, in the energy department from 2013-2016 are likely to prove valuable to the consortium.